Winter storm could affect Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Talk about raining on your parade. The winter storm looming above the east coast is full of rain, snow and wind. The latest weather reports say it's the wind that may be an issue for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Winds are currently forecasted at around 20 miles per hour, with gusts up to 36 miles per hour. The USA Today reports that if these numbers are to pass 23 mph and 34 mph, respectively, you may not be seeing the famous Snoopy Dog and SpongeBob SquarePants floating along with the rest of the balloons at the parade. These gigantic balloon icons would have to be tied down.

Those are now the state rules when it comes to parades. Those rules were made after a serious incident occurred in 1997. A Cat in the Hat balloon blew into a light pole, falling on a woman at the parade and injuring her seriously.  In the 87-year-long run of the parade, balloons have only had to be tied down once in 1971. 

What other mishaps to watch out for? Some activists plan to join the parade this year in protest of SeaWorld (there is an expected balloon pairing of Shamu the killer whale with Joan Jett). A documentary accuses theme park employees of treating the whales badly, and activists don't believe Joan Jett should be paired with the whale.

Tonight they will inflate the balloons and tomorrow, make the big decision about tying down Snoopy and SpongeBob. "At this time, it is too early to make any determinations on the flight of the giant balloons," Macy's spokesman, Orlando Veras said. "On Thanksgiving morning, Macy's works closely with the NYPD, who, based on real time weather data and the official regulations, determine if the balloons will fly and at what heights," he added.

On the bright side, there are some highly-anticipated performances, from Ariana Grande and Austin Mahone to old-school Fall Out Boy and Goo Goo Dolls